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In each incident, the elderly person was told by a cold-caller on the doorstep they have some loose or cracked roof tiles or needed guttering clearing.

They were then persuaded to have the tiles replaced or gutters cleaned, usually for a small amount of money – such as £20, Trading Standards officers said.

But once they agree for the work to go ahead, the cold-caller then advises the elderly person that further ‘urgent work’ needs carrying out, such as replacing rotting roof timbers or felting.

Wrexham councillor Hugh Jones (Image: TRINITY MIRROR COPYRIGHT)

The price of the work then escalates – often into thousands of pounds – and they feel intimidated into having the work done.

Trading Standards officers said victims can then hand over large sums of money for work that often didn’t need doing in the first place or was of little value.

Wrexham council’s lead member for communities, partnerships, public protection and community safety, Cllr Hugh Jones, said: “These are worrying incidents and Trading Standards officers and local police have carried out several rapid-response visits to elderly consumer’s homes to provide advice and reassurance, and also to remove the tradesmen from the property before the consumer has been forced to hand over large sums of money.

“Please look out for your elderly relatives and neighbours, who may be the next to be targeted by these unscrupulous cold-callers.”